Observation/Reflection #5 - How Do I Stop This Thing?
Observe how and when your teacher closes his or her lessons and/or activities. How does he or she end each class period? Is there a set routine? If so, describe it. Pay special attention to when you teacher begins to end the class. Does he or she return to the purpose or main idea of the lesson? Does he or she "set up" the homework or the next day's activity? Is the teacher still teaching when the bell rings or are students already poised to leave? Is there some "dead time" at the end of the class period? If so, how much? How do students react to your teacher's closing strategies? Remember that these questions are a guide and that you don't have to answer each one. Be sure you reflect on your observations and describe how you will try to end your classes. What supports for these ideas might you include in your lesson plans?
Observations:
In my high school placement, my CT usually manages his time well, and never runs class right up to the bell. At the end of lab periods my CT will pull the class back together in order to share results, and answer any questions that popped up. After a lab the homework is usually to answer the critical thinking questions based on the students' results. His labs are always applicable to what is being covered in class, and are well thought out time-wise. My middle school CT lacks any type of organization. Students are constantly finishing the days assignments early, and left milling around class. It is always fairly chaotic. Several labs are done on one topic, which could be seen as reinforcement, or overkill. He does keep a homework board which lets students know what is due, and when, in case he forgets to say it explicitly. Although,the homework board only works if it is kept up to date...
Reflections:
I would strive to fashion my classroom after my high school CT's example. I think it is important to use the last bit of class to pull everything together so students aren't left wondering "why did we do this?". I appreciate his organization, because this is also the way my head works. I could never be the fly by the seat of my pants teacher that my middle school CT is. I feel like his students need more structure in his classroom,especially since they are wacky 8th graders. After so long of doing pointless labs I can see the boredom in student's faces. They become disengaged, overwhelmed and frustrated. I think I'll have my work cut out for me in this classroom, come January, since I'm way over organized and always totally prepared.
Observation/Reflection #5 - How Do I Stop This Thing?
Observe how and when your teacher closes his or her lessons and/or activities. How does he or she end each class period? Is there a set routine? If so, describe it. Pay special attention to when you teacher begins to end the class. Does he or she return to the purpose or main idea of the lesson? Does he or she "set up" the homework or the next day's activity? Is the teacher still teaching when the bell rings or are students already poised to leave? Is there some "dead time" at the end of the class period? If so, how much? How do students react to your teacher's closing strategies? Remember that these questions are a guide and that you don't have to answer each one. Be sure you reflect on your observations and describe how you will try to end your classes. What supports for these ideas might you include in your lesson plans?Observations:
In my high school placement, my CT usually manages his time well, and never runs class right up to the bell. At the end of lab periods my CT will pull the class back together in order to share results, and answer any questions that popped up. After a lab the homework is usually to answer the critical thinking questions based on the students' results. His labs are always applicable to what is being covered in class, and are well thought out time-wise. My middle school CT lacks any type of organization. Students are constantly finishing the days assignments early, and left milling around class. It is always fairly chaotic. Several labs are done on one topic, which could be seen as reinforcement, or overkill. He does keep a homework board which lets students know what is due, and when, in case he forgets to say it explicitly. Although,the homework board only works if it is kept up to date...Reflections:
I would strive to fashion my classroom after my high school CT's example. I think it is important to use the last bit of class to pull everything together so students aren't left wondering "why did we do this?". I appreciate his organization, because this is also the way my head works. I could never be the fly by the seat of my pants teacher that my middle school CT is. I feel like his students need more structure in his classroom,especially since they are wacky 8th graders. After so long of doing pointless labs I can see the boredom in student's faces. They become disengaged, overwhelmed and frustrated. I think I'll have my work cut out for me in this classroom, come January, since I'm way over organized and always totally prepared.